The Sofitel was a very pleasant surprise. Comfortable room, nice view and a very attentive staff. The fresh fruit delivered to my room was a very nice touch. And when the staff saw that my birthday occurred during my stay, they even sent up a decadent chocolate dessert. Who could ask for more? And with the subway just a short distance away, it was an ideal way to explore Bangkok.

I got off the 17 hr. plane flight, took a bus and arrived at the Sofitel. The concierge told me that even though I had booked a room with a King size bed it was not available. She could put me in an executive suite for a lot more money, or give me a room with two single beds ( a downgrade) for the same price. Not a good start.

The room was okay, but honestly nothing too special. Although I was on the 20th floor it kind of felt like I was in a converted office due to the general antiseptic quality of the room and lack of color.

But what I really grew to dislike was the lame location. It's a good 10+ minute walk to the Skytrain along a super-congested and polluted street. From there you can get most anywhere you like which is good because there is not much of interest around the Silom Sofitel other than the scuzzy Patpong area, which is itself a good 15 minute walk.

I stayed on the Sukhumvit for the latter part of my stay and was MUCH happier.

My boyfriend and I stayed in the Sofitel Silom on Feb 2008 and were delighted. Our room was large with a great view and very stylishly decorated. They provide a full and varied breakfast and the service is elcellent. The gym is well equiped and the pool is small but pleasant. No great for sun bathers as totally shaded but only a minor point.

The lobb is great and really nice place to hang out but beware the lobby cafe prices. Water was 4 time more expensive than in the Spar down the street.

My husband and I stayed at the Sofitel Silom for five nights in February 2008 and found it a superb hotel in a fantastically convenient location.

We stayed in a Club room, which were on the higher floors. This also enabled access to the exclusive breakfast area (good, but not as diverse as the buffett breakfasts downstairs), as well as the excellent and recommended free afternoon teas (3-5pm) and drinks and canapes (5-7pm) on the 29th floor.

Club rooms were spacious, clean and modern and would definantly recommend you upgrade. Only complaint would be the lighting in the bathroom was pretty poor.

Hotel buffet breakfast in restaurant downstairs was fantastic, best experienced in our 3 weeks in Thailand. Everything you could ever want for breakfast, incl own smoothie making station, asian and western breakies and much much more! Also had one buffet dinner (was Indian themed) in same restaurant which was superb. Again, facilities incredibly clean and modern, refreshing to come in from noisy, smelly, smoggy streets.

Hotel staff were wonderful, incredibly helpful and thoughtful. Booked several tours through hotel tour operator, she was a great help and made pleasing recommendations.

Hotel in very convenient location - 5 min walk to Patpong Markets, 20 min walk or 3 min tuk tuk ride to Suan Lum Night Bazaar, 5 min walk to skytrain, 15 min walk to River. Plenty of tuk tuks and taxis around for those not wanting to walk, make sure negotiate price prior to departure.

All in all, if you are after luxury in a convenient location, go for the Sofitel Silom. We will again!